What are collinear points?

Collinear points are defined as points that lie on the same straight line. When multiple points can be connected by a single line without any deviation, they are considered collinear. This concept is fundamental in geometry since it helps in understanding the relationship and alignment of points in a two-dimensional space.

For instance, if you have three points, A, B, and C, and you can draw a straight line that connects them without lifting your pencil, then those points are collinear. This definition underlines the idea that collinearity is purely about the alignment of the points in relation to one another along the same linear path.

Understanding collinearity is important in various geometric applications, such as determining if shapes are formed by points, analyzing the position of points in coordinate systems, and solving problems related to triangles and polygons.